verb
1
BAD : It's about time they replied my letter.
GOOD : It's about time they replied to my letter.
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reply to a letter/invitation/advertisement etc: 'Since Margaret hasn't replied to the invitation, we're assuming she isn't coming.'
Compare: 'It's about time they answered my letter.'
2
BAD : He replied to me that he had grown up in a family of footballers.
GOOD : He replied that he had grown up in a family of footballers.
BAD : 'There's going to be a storm,' the captain replied me.
GOOD : 'There's going to be a storm,' the captain replied.
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When reply is used as a reporting verb, the 'listener' is not mentioned:
' "I'm sure you're right," George replied.' 'She replied that she was too busy.'